201
Compiled and Published by
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Law Enforcement Division
2018
BOATING ACCIDENTS
AND FATALITIES
REPORT
State of North Carolina
Roy Cooper/Governor
________________________________________________
NC Department of
Environmental Quality
Michael S. Regan/Secretary
________________________________________________
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
2018 North Carolina Annual Boating Accident Report
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
1717 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, N.C 27699-1717
“An Equal Opportunity Employer”
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Gordon Myers, Executive Director
May 2019
NORTH CAROLINA BOATING ACCIDENT STATISTICS - 2018
INTRODUCTION
This annual report contains statistics extracted from boating accident reports submitted to the North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and boating-related information for the calendar year of 2018.
Boating accidents that occur on public waters of this state must be reported to the North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission if the accident results in one or more of the following:
(a) Loss of life
(b) A person loses consciousness or receives medical treatment, or is
disabled for more than twenty-four hours
(c) Actual physical damage to property (including vessels) is in excess
of $2,000.00
(d) A person disappears from the vessel under circumstances that indicate death or injury
The following types of boating accidents are included in this report:
(1) Grounding, capsizing, sinking, or flooding/swamping.
(2) Falls in or overboard a vessel.
(3) Persons ejected from a vessel.
(4) Fire or explosions that occur while underway and while anchored, moored or docked if the fire resulted from the vessel or vessel equipment.
(5) Water-skiing or other mishap involving a towable device.
(6) Collision with another vessel or object.
(7) Striking a submerged object.
(8) A person struck by a vessel, propeller, propulsion unit, or steering machinery. (9) Carbon monoxide exposure. (10) Electrocution due to stray current related to a vessel.
Mailing Address: 1717 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-1717
Telephone: (919) 707-0030 • Fax: (919) 707-0045
PAGE 2
The following types of boating accidents are not included in this report:
(1) Accidents involving only slight injury or property damage of
less than $2,000.00
(2) Accidents which did not directly involve a vessel, its equipment,
or its appendages
(3) A person dies, is injured, or is missing as a result of suicide or assault by another person
or persons while aboard a vessel.
(4) A person dies or is injured from natural causes while aboard a vessel where the vessel did
not contribute to the casualty.
(5) A person dies, is injured, or is missing as a result of jumping, diving, or swimming for
pleasure from an anchored, moored or docked vessel.
(6) A person dies, is injured, or is missing as a result of swimming to retrieve an object or a vessel
that is adrift from its mooring or dock, having departed from a place of inherent safety, such
as the shore or pier.
(7) Property damage occurs or a person dies, is injured, or is missing while preparing a vessel for
launching or retrieving and the vessel is not on the water and capable / ready for its intended
use.
(8) Property damage occurs or a person dies, is injured, or is missing as a result of a fire on shore
or a pier that spreads to a vessel or vessels.
(9) Accidents occurring on private ponds (10) Accidents involving commercial activity
The purpose of the accident report is to provide statistical information on the causes, frequency, and
location of serious boating accidents. These statistics are analyzed to aid in determining the direction of
measures to deter boating accidents.
ANNUAL BOATING STATISTICS
For this time period, there was an average of:
166 boating accidents
50 fatal boating accidents
157,345 boats registered
68,161 boating education students
BOATING STATISTICS 1973-1980
TOTAL ALCOHOL RELATED TOTAL ALCOHOL RELATED TOTAL
COUNTY FATAL FATAL* NON-FATAL NON-FATAL* ACCIDENTS
Alamance 1 1 0 0 1
Alexander 0 0 2 1 2
Alleghany 0 0 0 0 0
Anson 0 0 1 0 1
Ashe 0 0 0 0 0
Avery 0 0 0 0 0
Beaufort 1 1 3 0 4
Bertie 0 0 0 0 0
Bladen 1 0 0 0 1
Brunswick 0 0 21 3 21
Buncombe 2 0 0 0 2
Burke 1 0 1 0 2
Cabarrus 0 0 0 0 0
Caldwell 0 0 0 0 0
Camden 0 0 1 0 1
Carteret 1 0 18 4 19
Caswell 0 0 0 0 0
Catawba 0 0 1 0 1
Chatham 0 0 7 1 7
Cherokee 0 0 0 0 0
Chowan 1 0 0 0 1
Clay 0 0 2 0 2
Cleveland 0 0 0 0 0
Columbus 2 0 1 0 3
Craven 0 0 3 0 3
Cumberland 0 0 0 0 0
Currituck 1 0 7 2 8
Dare 1 0 14 0 15
Davidson 1 0 1 0 2
Davie 0 0 0 0 0
Duplin 1 0 0 0 1
Durham 1 0 0 0 1
Edgecombe 0 0 0 0 0
Forsyth 0 0 1 0 1
Franklin 0 0 0 0 0
Gaston 0 0 2 1 2
COUNTY TOTALS
TOTAL ALCOHOL RELATED TOTAL ALCOHOL RELATED TOTAL
COUNTY FATAL FATAL* NON-FATAL NON-FATAL* ACCIDENTS
Gates 0 0 0 0 0
Graham 2 0 0 0 2
Granville 0 0 0 0 0
Greene 0 0 0 0 0
Guilford 1 0 0 1 1
Halifax 0 0 1 0 1
Harnett 0 0 0 0 0
Haywood 0 0 0 0 0
Henderson 0 0 0 0 0
Hertford 0 0 0 0 0
Hoke 0 0 0 0 0
Hyde 0 0 2 0 2
Iredell 1 0 11 0 12
Jackson 0 0 0 0 0
Johnston 0 0 0 0 0
Jones 1 0 0 0 1
Lee 0 0 0 0 0
Lenoir 0 0 0 0 0
Lincoln 0 0 3 0 3
Macon 0 0 0 0 0
Madison 0 0 0 0 0
Martin 0 0 0 0 0
McDowell 0 0 1 0 1
Mecklenburg 1 2 5 0 6
Mitchell 1 0 0 0 1
Montgomery 0 0 4 2 4
Moore 0 0 0 0 0
Nash 0 0 0 0 0
New Hanover 0 0 13 3 13
Northampton 0 0 2 0 2
Onslow 1 0 5 0 6
Orange 0 0 0 0 0
Pamlico 0 0 1 0 1
Pasquotank 0 0 1 0 1
Pender 0 0 3 0 3
Perquimans 0 0 2 0 2
Person 2 0 2 0 4
TOTAL ALCOHOL RELATED TOTAL
ALCOHOL RELATED TOTAL
COUNTY FATAL FATAL* NON-
FATAL NON-FATAL* ACCIDENTS
ADAMS CREEK 0 0 2 0 2
ALBEMARLE SOUND 1 0 1 0 2
ALBEMARLE CITY LAKE 0 0 1 0 1
ATLANTIC BEACH/OCEAN 1 0 1 0 2
BADIN LAKE 1 1 1 0 2
BANKS CHANNEL 0 0 4 1 4
BELEWS LAKE 0 0 4 1 4
BLEWETT FALLS LAKE 0 0 1 0 1
BOGUE INLET/SOUND 1 0 6 1 7
BROAD CREEK 0 0 1 0 1
CAMPBELLS CREEK 0 0 1 0 1
CAPE FEAR RIVER 0 0 5 1 5
CATAWBA RIVER 0 0 1 0 1
CHEOAH RIVER 1 0 0 0 1
CORE CREEK CANAL 0 0 2 0 2
CORE SOUND 0 0 2 0 2
CROATAN SOUND 0 0 2 0 2
CURRITUCK SOUND 0 0 5 0 5
DISMAL SWAMP CANAL 0 0 1 0 1
FALLS LAKE 1 0 1 0 2
FONTANA LAKE 0 0 2 1 2
FRENCH BROAD RIVER 2 0 0 0 2
GREEN RIVER 1 0 1 0 2
HAW RIVER 1 1 0 0 1
HIGH ROCK LAKE 1 1 1 0 2
ICW 3 1 34 1 37
JOHN H KERR RESERVOIR 1 0 0 0 1
JORDAN LAKE 0 0 7 0 7
KITTY HAWK BAY 0 0 1 0 1
LAKE CHATUGE 0 0 2 0 2
LAKE GASTON 0 0 6 0 6
LAKE HICKORY 0 0 1 0 1
LAKE JAMES 0 0 2 0 2
TOTAL ACCIDENTS PER BODY OF WATER
COUNTY
TOTAL FATAL
ALCOHOL RELATED FATAL*
TOTAL NON-
FATAL
ALCOHOL RELATED
NON-FATAL* TOTAL
ACCIDENTS
LAKE NORMAN 1 0 16 0 17
LAKE TILLERY 0 0 3 1 3
LAKE TOWNSEND 1 0 0 0 1
LAKE WACCAMAW 1 0 0 0 1
LAKE WYLIE 2 2 4 1 6
LEES CUT 0 0 1 0 1
LINVILLE RIVER 1 0 0 0 1
LITTLE RIVER 1 0 0 0 1
LUMBER RIVER 0 0 1 0 1
MAYO LAKE 1 0 0 0 1
MOYOCK CREEK 1 0 1 0 2
MCGHEES MILL LAKE 0 0 3 1 3
MOYOCK CREEK 1 0 0 0 1
NE CAPE FEAR RIVER 0 0 1 0 1
NEALS CREEK 1 0 1 0 2
NEUSE RIVER 0 0 3 1 3
NEWPORT RIVER 0 0 3 0 3
NORTH WEST RIVER 0 0 0 0 0
OREGON INLET 0 0 1 0 1
PAMLICO RIVER/SOUND 0 0 1 0 1
PANTEGO CREEK 1 1 2 0 3
PASQUOTANK RIVER 0 0 0 0 0
PEMBROKE CREEK 0 0 0 0 0
PERQUIMANS RIVER 0 0 0 0 0
PUNGO RIVER 0 0 1 0 1
RICES CREEK 0 0 1 0 1
ROANOKE RIVER/SOUND 0 0 0 0 0
SANDY BAY 0 0 6 0 6
SHEARON HARRIS LAKE 0 0 1 0 1
SMITH CREEK 0 0 0 0 0
SINGLETARY LAKE 0 0 2 1 2
TOTALS: 30 7 162 13 192
*numbers are included on the 2018 NC Boating Accident Fact Sheet
192 Total accidents
162 Total non-fatal accidents
30 Total fatal accidents with 35 fatalities
Non-Fatal Accidents
22 Alcohol-related accidents
97 People injured requiring medical treatment
-of the 97 people injured, 24 were affected by alcohol use
228 Total vessels involved
Fatal Accidents
35 Total fatalities
6 Alcohol-related accidents
-of the 35 fatalities, 3 people were affected by alcohol use
31 Total vessels involved in fatal accidents
Note: These numbers include accidents involving personal watercraft
2018 NC BOATING ACCIDENT FACTS
RANK TYPE # ACCIDENTS AFFECTED
1 Fall or jumped overboard 8
2 Departed vessel voluntarily 6
3
3
Other/Unknown
Flooding/Sinking
4
4
4
4
4
Capsizing
Collision with fixed object
Collision with vessel
2
2
2
RANKING OF LEADING CAUSES OF FATAL ACCIDENTS
(most accidents have more than one cause)
RANK CAUSE # ACCIDENTS AFFECTED
1 *Other/Unknown/Undetermined 10
2 Hazardous waters 8
3 Operator inexperience 5
4
4
Alcohol use
Swimming ability
4
4
5
5
Careless and reckless
Fault of equipment
3
3
6
6
Occupant behavior
Fault of machinery
2
2
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
Improper lookout
Cold water immersion
Excessive speed
Overloading
Not wearing PFD
Navigation rules violation
Operator inattention
Sharp turn
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
*Other = unknown, undetermined, medical condition, carbon monoxide poisoning, weather, etc.
RANKING OF LEADING TYPES OF FATAL ACCIDENTS
RANK TYPE # ACCIDENTS AFFECTED
1 Collision with vessel 54
2 Collision with fixed object 22
3
3
Flooding/sinking
Capsizing
11
11
4 Grounding 10
5 Struck submerged object 8
6 Ejected from vessel 7
7
7
Fall overboard
*Other/Unknown
6
6
8
8
Fire explosion (fuel)
Skier mishap
5
5
9 Collision with floating object 4
10 Fire explosion (other than fuel) 3
11
11
Departed vessel voluntarily
Fall in vessel
1
1
RANKING OF LEADING CAUSES OF NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS
(most accidents have more than one cause)
RANK CAUSE # ACCIDENTS AFFECTED
1
1
Careless and reckless operation
Operator Inattention
37
37
2 Operator inexperience 36
3 Alcohol use 18
4
4
Excessive speed
Improper/No proper lookout
16
16
5 Navigation rules infraction 12
6
6
Congested/Hazardous waters
Navigation rules violation
11
11
7 No/Improper lights 4
*Other = unknown, undetermined, medical condition, carbon monoxide poisoning, swimming ability, etc.
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
FATAL 1 1 2 4 2 7 2 6 1 2 2 0
NON FATAL 4 3 6 5 19 39 36 28 9 4 5 4
1 1 2 4 2
7
26
1 2 2 04 36
5
19
39
36
28
9
45
40
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
MONTHS IN WHICH ACCIDENTS OCCURED
FATAL NON FATAL
1
14
12
11
2
5
1
9
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
AT ANCHOR/DOCKED
CRUISING
DRIFTING
FISHING/HUNTING
MANEUVERING/CHANGING DIRECTION
OTHER/UNKNOWN
CHANGING SPEED
ROWING/PADDLING
ACTIVITY AT TIME OF FATAL ACCIDENT
42
21
160
25
31
25
10
12
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
CHANGINGDIRECTION/MANEUVERIN
G
CHANGING SPEED
CRUISING
DRIFTING
FISHING/HUNTING
OTHER/UNKNOWN
ROWIN/PADDLING
WATERSKIING/TUBING/TOWING
ACTIVITY AT TIME OF NON-FATAL ACCIDENT
10 - 19 20 - 29 30 - 39 40 - 49 50 - 5960 ANDOVER
UNK
FATAL 2 3 2 2 5 14 2
ALCOHOL RELATED 0 0 1 0 1 3 1
NON-FATAL 21 44 26 32 30 38 33
ALCOHOL RELATED 2 7 6 6 8 3 5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
AGES OF OPERATORS INVOLVED IN BOATING ACCIDENTS
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
10 - 100
OVER 100
UNDER 10
UNKNOWN
10 - 100 OVER 100 UNDER 10 UNKNOWN
NON-FATAL 19 10 29 0
FATAL 0 0 2 0
EXPERIENCE (IN HOURS) OF OPERATORS INVOLVED IN PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ACCIDENTS
0
0
7
12
6
2
3
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
AUX SAIL
CABIN MOTORBOAT
CANOE/KAYAK
OPEN MOTORBOAT
PONTOON
PWC
UNKNOWN/OTHER
TYPES OF BOATS INVOLVED IN FATAL ACCIDENTS
12
21
10
89
14
19
58
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
AUXILIARY SAIL
CABIN MOTORBOAT
CANOE/KAYAK
OPEN MOTORBOAT
OTHER
PONTOON
PWC
TYPES OF BOATS INVOLVED IN NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS
4
17
8
93
95
26
0 20 40 60 80 100
EDUCATION
NO EDUCATION
UNKNOWN
FORMAL BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION IN FATAL AND NON-FATAL BOAT ACCIDENTS
NON-FATAL FATAL
FATAL, 22
FATAL, 15
FATAL, 5
FATAL, 14
NON-FATAL, 85
NON-FATAL, 91
NON-FATAL, 15
NON-FATAL, 109
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
PFD ON BOARD
PFD USED
PFD NOT ON BOARD
PFD NOT USED
USAGE OF PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES IN FATAL AND NON-FATAL BOATING
ACCIDENTS
ALCOHOL USE, 6
NO ALCOHOL USE, 24
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
ALCOHOLUSE
NOALCOHOL
USE
ALCOHOL USE IN FATAL ACCIDENTS
22
170
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
ALCOHOL USE
NO ALCOHOL USE
ALCOHOL USE IN NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS
PWC COUNTY TOTALS
TOTAL
Alamance 0 0 0
Alexander 0 0 0
Alleghany 0 0 0
Anson 0 1 1
Ashe 0 0 0
Avery 0 0 0
Beaufort 0 0 0
Bertie 0 0 0
Bladen 0 0 0
Brunswick 0 7 7
Buncombe 0 0 0
Burke 0 0 0
Cabarrus 0 0 0
Caldwell 0 0 0
Camden 0 0 0
Carteret 0 0 0
Caswell 0 0 0
Catawba 0 0 0
Chatham 0 0 0
Cherokee 0 0 0
Chowan 0 0 0
Clay 0 0 0
Cleveland 0 0 0
Columbus 0 0 0
Craven 0 0 0
Cumberland 0 0 0
Currituck 0 3 3
Dare 0 4 4
Davidson 0 1 1
Davie 0 0 0
Duplin 0 0 0
Durham 1 0 1
Edgecombe 0 0 0
PWC COUNTY TOTALS
COUNTY FATAL NON-FATAL TOTAL
ACCIDENTS
Franklin 0 0 0
Gaston 0 0 0
Gates 0 0 0
Granville 0 0 0
Greene 0 0 0
Guilford 0 0 0
Halifax 0 0 0
Harnett 0 0 0
Haywood 0 0 0
Henderson 0 0 0
Hertford 0 0 0
Hoke 0 0 0
Hyde 0 0 0
Iredell 0 7 7
Jackson 0 0 0
Johnston 0 0 0
Jones 0 0 0
Lee 0 0 0
Lenoir 0 0 0
Lincoln 0 1 1
Macon 0 0 0
Madison 0 0 0
Martin 0 0 0
McDowell 0 0 0
Mecklenburg 0 2 2
Mitchell 0 0 0
Montgomery 0 0 0
Moore 0 0 0
Nash 0 0 0
New Hanover 0 7 7
Northampton 0 1 1
Onslow 0 2 2
Orange 0 0 0
BODY OF WATER NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS
BADIN LAKE 1
BELEWS LAKE 2
BLEWETT FALS LAKE 1
CAPE FEAR RIVER 1
CURRITUCK SOUND 4
FALLS LAKE 1
HIGH ROCK LAKE 1
ICW 13
LAKE GASTON 3
LAKE NORMAN 9
LAKE WYLIE 1
NEUSE RIVER 1
ROANOKE SOUND 3
SMITH CREEK 1
WHITE OAK RIVER 1
TOTAL 43
TOTAL PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ACCIDENTS
PER BODY OF WATER
10 - 19 20 - 29 30 - 39 40 - 49 50 - 5960 ANDOVER
UNK
FATAL 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
ALCOHOL RELATED 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NON-FATAL 14 17 9 6 10 1 4
ALCOHOL RELATED 0 2 1 0 0 0 0
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
AGES OF OPERATORS INVOLVED IN PWC ACCIDENTS
0
0
2
0
19
10
29
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
10 - 100
OVER 100
UNDER 10
UNKNOWN
10 - 100 OVER 100 UNDER 10 UNKNOWN
NON-FATAL 19 10 29 0
FATAL 0 0 2 0
EXPERIENCE (IN HOURS) OF OPERATORS INVOLVED IN PERSONAL WATERCRAFT ACCIDENTS
0
2
0
20
37
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
EDUCATION
NO EDUCATION
UNKNOWN
FORMAL BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION IN FATAL AND NON-FATAL PWC ACCIDENTS
NON-FATAL FATAL
GLOSSARY
The following definitions were considered, drafted and approved by the Coast Guard and by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. These definitions of terms used in recording boating accident statistics are presented here to provide a better understanding of the data in this report.
Aluminum Hull – Includes those hulls of aluminum or aluminum alloys.
Anchored – Held in place in the water by an anchor; includes “moored” to a buoy or anchored
vessel and “dragging anchor.”
At Dock – Secured to a fixed or floating structure; but excludes while being fueled.
Being Towed – In the tow of another vessel.
Burns (or scalds) – Injuries caused by contact with, or exposure to, hot surfaces or
substances such as cooking ranges, lights, motors, wiring, liquids, etc. (Does not include
burns or scalds received as a result of a fire, explosion or other vessel casualty.)
Cabin Motorboat – Motorboats on which a cabin is constructed which can be completely
closed by means of doors or hatches. Large cabin motorboats, even though referred to as
yachts, are considered cabin motorboats for classification purposed.
Capsizing – When a vessel overturns, the bottom must become uppermost, except in the
case of a sailing boat. If a sailboat overturns, (capsizes), it will normally lie on its side. (A
spilling out of persons, except in the case of a sailboat, without completely overturning the boat
is a “falling overboard,” not a capsizing.)
Collision with Another Vessel – Any striking together of two or more vessels, regardless of
operation at time of the accident, is a collision. (Also includes colliding with the tow of another
vessel, regardless of the nature of the tow, i.e., surfboard, ski ropes, skier, etc.)
Collision with Fixed Object – The striking of any fixed object, above or below the surface of
the water except the bottom. (The striking of rocks, reefs, shoals, etc. on the bottom is a
“grounding.”)
Conditions or Causes not Otherwise Classified – The majority of these accidents will be
“freak” or “odd ball” accidents, which cannot be classified under any of the other causes. (May
be caused by such things as lightning, clothing getting caught in controls, etc.)
Cruising – Proceeding normally, unrestricted; an absence of drastic rudder or engine
changes.
Crushing (pinching) – Where the victim is injured in this manner by a vessel or its
appurtenance. (Such injury might occur while docking, handling lines, doors, hatches, weights,
etc.)
Disappearance of Boat – Where a vessel is lost other than by theft, but the circumstances
are not known.
Disappearance of Person – Where, from the circumstances, there is a presumption of death,
but the body is not found and/or the circumstances are not known.
Documented Vessel – A vessel five net tons or over, owned by a citizen of the United States
and used exclusively for pleasure with a valid marine document issued by the Coast Guard.
Documented vessels cannot be numbered.
Drifting – Underway, but proceeding over the bottom without used of engines, oars or sails;
being carried along only by the tide (current) and/or wind.
Excessive Drinking – Immoderate indulgence in intoxicating beverages to such an extent that
the use of one’s faculties is materially impaired.
Excessive Speed – Speed above that which a reasonable and prudent person would have
operated under the circumstances then existing. It is not necessarily a speed in excess of a
posted limit.
Falls Overboard – Falls from the vessel, which result in injury or death.
Falls Within Boat – Any slip, trip, or fall on board or within the vessel resulting in injury or
death.
Fault of Equipment – Improper or unsafe installation; inadequacy, but not lack of such
equipment.
Fault of Hull – Defect of hull material, design, or construction.
Fault of Machinery – Defect in machinery or material, design or construction; faulty
installation by manufacturer, malfunctioning, corrosion, deterioration, absence of safety
devices, fault steering gear, etc.
Fault of Operator – Includes the following specific faults: speeding, overloading; improper
loading, not properly seating occupants of boat; no proper lookout; carelessness; failure to
heed weather warning; operating in a congested area; not observing the Rules of the Road;
unsafe fueling practices; lack of experience; ignorance of aids of navigation; lack of caution in
an unfamiliar area of operation; improper installation or maintenance of a hull, unseaworthy
craft; operating a motorboat near persons in the water, starting engine with clutch engaged or
throttle advanced; irresponsible boat handling such as quick, sharp turns.
Fault of Other Persons – Same as faults listed for operator, but attributed to persons such as
guests, skiers, bridge tenders, etc.
Fiberglass (Plastic) Hull – Includes those hulls of fiberglass reinforced plastic. The laminate
consists of two basic components, the reinforcing material – glass filaments, and the plastic or
resin in which it is embedded.
Fire or Explosion of Fuel – Accidental combustion of liquids including they’re vapors, or other
substances, such as wood or coal, which are on board as vessel fuel.
Flooding – Filling with water, regardless of method of ingress, but retaining sufficient
buoyancy to remain upon the surface.
Fueling – Any stage of the fueling operation; primarily concerned with introduction of explosion
or combustible vapors or liquids on board.
Grounding – When a vessel runs aground, strikes or pounds upon rock, reefs, or shoals,
stranding it.
Hazardous Waters – Unusual water hazards such as rips, breakers, bar shoals, rapids and
obstructions.
Hull Construction – That material which constitutes the majority of the shell of the vessel.
Improper Loading – Where faulty loading (includes weight shifting) of the vessel caused
instability, limited maneuverability, dangerously reduced freeboard, etc., and thereby caused
the accident.
Inboard – Where the primary propulsion at the time of the casualty was an engine located
within and permanently attached to the hull.
Inboard Outboard – Also referred to as inboard/out drive. Regarded as inboard because the
power unit is located inside the boat.
Maneuvering – Changing of course, speed, or similar boat handling action during which a high
degree of alertness is required or the boat is hazarded because of the operation.
Motorboat – Any vessel equipped with propulsion machinery, not more than sixty-five feet in
length.
Motor Vessel – Any vessel equipped with propulsion machinery (other than steam), more than
sixty-five feet long.
Non-tidal Waters – All rivers above the point affected by tides, and all inland lakes, streams, ponds, creeks, etc. No Proper Lookout (i.e., no proper watch) – The failure of the operator to perceive the
danger because no one was serving as lookout, or the person so serving failed in that regard.
Also includes inattention on the part of the operator.
Numbered Vessel – Any undocumented vessel numbered by (1) a State with an approved
numbering system or (2) the Coast Guard, under the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971.
Oceans – Those waters affected by tidal action outside the inland tidal waters.
Open Motorboat – Craft of open construction specifically built for operating with a motor;
boats canopied or fitted with temporary partial shelters.
Other Casualties to vessel – All vessel casualties not otherwise classified.
Other Crafts – All type crafts not listed, i.e., racing hydroplanes, kayaks, airboats, houseboats,
pontoon boats, rafts, etc.
Other Fault of Operator – All irresponsible and/or unsafe boat handling acts not specifically
classed.
Other Fire and/or Explosion – Accidental burning or explosion of any material on board,
except vessel fuels or their vapors. (Includes electrical fires.)
Other Hull Material – Any material not included in the specific classifications, i.e., hides,
canvas, etc.
Other Personnel Casualties – Includes all other personal casualties involving deaths or
injuries where a vessel casualty is not involved.
Other Propulsion – Includes all mechanical propulsions other than by water propeller, such
as airboats, jet propulsion (using gas vapor thrust), water jet, etc. Also includes the various
methods of propelling a craft manually (oars, manual paddle-wheels, etc.) and by sail.
Other, While Underway – Includes all other activities while underway, such as rowing, in a
navigation lock, etc. Also includes “unknown” while underway.
Overloading – Where excessive loading of the vessel caused instability, limited
maneuverability, dangerously reduced freeboard, etc., and thereby caused the accident.
Outboard – The classification includes “portable” engines. Some are so large as to preclude
portability in its true sense but they are considered “outboard” because they are not
“permanently” affixed to the structure of the craft. Also, includes all “outboard” motors
regardless of the method or location used to mount the engine, i.e., motor wells, “kicker pits,”
motor pockets, etc.
Personal Casualties - Those accidents in which there was no actual damage to the vessel.
Personal Watercraft – A Personal Watercraft (PWC) is a small vessel which uses an
outboard or propeller-driven motor, or an inboard motor powering a water jet pump, as its
primary source of motive power and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting,
standing, or kneeling on, or being towed behind the vessel, rather than in the conventional
manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel.
Rowboat or Canoe – Crafts of open constructions designed primarily to be propelled
manually. Includes “dugouts” but not “kayaks.”
Rules of the Road – Statutory and regulatory rules governing navigation of vessels.
Sailboat or Auxiliary – Crafts intended to be propelled primarily by sail, regardless of size or
type.
Sinking – Where the vessel loses enough buoyancy to settle below the surface of the water.
Steel Hull – Those hulls of sheet steel or steel alloy. Does not include those with steel ribs
and wood, canvas or plastic hull coverings.
Striking Floating Object – Collision with any waterborne object above or below the surface
that is free to move with the tide, current or wind, except another vessel, i.e., logs, debris, etc.
Struck by Boat or Propeller – Striking of a victim who is outside of the boat, but not
necessarily a swimmer.
Swamping – Filling with water, regardless of method of ingress, but retaining sufficient
buoyancy to remain upon the surface.
Towing Skier – Self-explanatory. Includes surfboards, sleds, discs, and other devices, as well
as skis, on which a person can be towed behind a boat.
Vessel Casualties (as opposed to personnel casualties) – All of those accidents which
result in actual damage to the boat, regardless of extent of damage and regardless of whether
persons were injured, killed, or other property was damaged.
Wood Hull – Includes those hulls of plywood, wood planked, or any other wood fiber in its
natural consistency. Also includes those of wooden constructions that have been “sheathed”
with fiberglass or sheet metal.
TAKE A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE BOATING LAW ADMINISTRATORS
(NASBLA) APPROVED BOATING SAFETY COURSE
FOR AVAILABLE COURSES VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEB SITES:
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission at www.ncwildlife.org, From the home page click on
“Boating” then “Laws and Safety” then on “Boating Education Courses” located in the “At Your Service”
box; choose either an Instructor Led Course and search for the class using your zip code, or the “Online
Courses” tab and visit one of the listed websites.
The Instructor Led Courses taught by NCWRC Instructors is a proctored course that must be taken in person)
US Power Squadron at www.usps.org. Or call 1-888-FOR USPS 1-888-367-8777
US Coast Guard Auxiliary- Public Education Classes – Find by Zip Code
The National Public Education Calendar Database provides a single, unified national database that holds
and displays all public education courses taught by our various flotillas nationwide. In addition, a Zip
Code search permits members of the general public to enter a Zip Code of interest, and find all public
education courses being taught within a selected distance from that Zip Code.
http://www.cgaus.org/boatinged/class_finder/index.php
**For other “ONLINE”, NASBLA approved Boating Education Courses, visit the following website links:
these links are also posted on our website: www.ncwildlife.org
The websites listed below for online courses on boating safety are not administered by North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission. Please be advised, the commission only maintains records for courses offered through
our agency. If you choose to complete your boating safety training through a source other than the commission,
you will be responsible for obtaining the necessary documentation to prove successful completion of the course
through the course provider.
The courses listed below meet all the education certification requirements for North Carolina.
Boat Ed (http://boat-ed.com/northcarolina/index.html)
Boater Exam (http://www.boaterexam.com/usa/northcarolina/)
Boat US Foundation (http://www.boatus.org/courses/)
America’s Boating Course (http://www.americasboatingcourse.com/)